Contract Specialist

About the Role: Contract Specialist at Defense Information Systems Agency

This position for The Defense Information Systems Agency is at Fort Meade, Maryland.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs a wide range of contracting procedures, methods and contract types, including competitive proposals, fixed price, and cost-type contracts.
• Formulates negotiation techniques to serve as a team leader over engineers, attorneys, industrial security specialist, contractors and/or cost analysts in the negotiation and settlement action.
• Responsible for IT Products, systems and services being acquired, related business practices, and prevailing market conditions sufficient to evaluate bid responsiveness, contractor responsibility and performance.
• Utilizes price/cost analysis techniques, such as learning curve analysis and cost estimating relationship, sufficient to evaluate contractor proposal, develop complex non-contractual pricing arrangements and incentives.
• Skill in written communications sufficient to present factual information, develop and issue memoranda, minutes, reports, complex modifications, supplemental agreements, draft contract provisions, supporting documents and other materials.

Requirements and Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• The incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450.
• Obtain/Maintain Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Certification (DAWIA).

Qualifications and Experience

Basic Education Standards for positions in the 1102 series require a Bachelor's degree from an accredited education institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Education exemptions apply to current DoD employees or Armed Forces members who occupied GS-1102 or similar contracting positions before October 1, 2000. Foreign education must be evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Specialized Experience

• For the GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, assisting with pre-award or post-award procurement functions OR performing price or cost analysis OR drafting procurement documentation.
• For the GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, awarding or administering contracts OR performing price or cost analysis to evaluate proposals.
• For the GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, planning and soliciting federal contracts; evaluating proposals; negotiating contract terms; and awarding and administering contracts.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate competencies such as Attention to Detail, Influencing/Negotiating, Decision Making, and Reasoning within their resume.

Education Requirements

Substitution of education for experience is available at GS-09 (two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or Master's/equivalent degree) and GS-11 (three years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D./equivalent doctoral degree). No education substitution for GS-12. Transcripts are required for education-based qualification.

Additional Information

A one-year probationary period may be required. Telework availability is based on mission needs. Management may select at either grade level, with promotion opportunities to the target position without further competition. Moving costs and incentives may be authorized. This is a covered position requiring an OGE Form 450. Selectees must achieve Contracting Professional Certification (DAWIA) within 36 months and maintain Continuous Learning Points. This position is subject to various federal employment policies including veterans' preference, Selective Service registration, ICTAP, and PPP.

Candidates should be committed to improving government efficiency, upholding American ideals, and supporting the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

Key skills/competency

• Contracting Procedures
• Contract Types
• Negotiation Techniques
• IT Procurement
• Price/Cost Analysis
• Written Communication
• Federal Acquisition Regulations
• Contract Administration
• Proposal Evaluation
• Financial Disclosure